New Delhi, Oct 13: In view of the growing number of dengue cases, Delhi government today decided to go in for an intense awareness generation exercise focussing on prevention, symptoms and cure of the disease, and asserted there was no paucity of beds or hospitals to deal with the situation. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting aimed at reviewing the dengue situation in the Capital. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and was also attended by health minister A K Walia, Delhi mayor Ashok Kumar Jain and officials of MCD, an official release said.

In addition to intensifying preventive efforts like mosquito fogging and anti-larvae measures, efforts to build awareness about the symptoms, the facilities available for the diagnosis and treatment would be disseminated through TV, radio, newspapers and door-to-door contact.
The Chief Minister said that citizens of Delhi need not worry about the paucity of beds or hospitals. She also asked people not to panic in case of fever or other symptoms.

The officials decided to publicise a list of hospitals where facilities for testing and treating dengue were available. Staff of these hospitals would also be alerted on dealing with such cases.
The need to promote a more coordinated response on part of the various agencies involved - the central government, Delhi government and the MCD was also emphasised at the meeting, the release added.

Bureau Report